RECKLESS BEHAVIOUR or SOUND JUDGMENT

When God wants to paint a picture, He does so very effectively.  An out-of-control life of self-will that ignores God is clearly described in detail in the Bible.

You can be certain that in the last days there will be some very hard times. People will love only themselves and money. They will be proud, stuck-up, rude, and disobedient to their parents. They will also be ungrateful, godless, heartless, and hateful. Their words will be cruel, and they will have no self-control or pity. These people will hate everything that is good. They will be sneaky, reckless, and puffed up with pride. Instead of loving God, they will love pleasure. Even though they will make a show of being religious, their religion won’t be real. Don’t have anything to do with such people.  (2 Timothy 3:1-5 CEV)

We read these words and quickly get uncomfortable because we find ourselves on the list numerous times due to our own reckless behaviour.  If ever we were reminded of why we need recovery and why we need to admit our lives are unmanageable, this list pretty much sums it up. 

The problem for many of us is that we attach our reckless behaviour only to our substance abuse and do not include things like being sneaky or ungrateful which are equally unacceptable behaviours.  We need a radical change of heart.  We need to change our perspective and become willing to see things as God sees them.  We need the humility to come to God with a willingness to have Him remove all our defects of character.

As grim as conditions in the self-willed life might look, God encourages us by describing the changes He will make if we determine to follow His ways.  We will be considered people of sound judgment when we speak clearly and honestly about ourselves as we share with others our life story of healing, freedom, and transformation. 

The hearts of reckless people will understand sound judgment, and the tongues of those who stammer will be ready to speak clearly.  (Isaiah 32:4 ISV)

Prayer: Loving God, On my own my life is like a train wreck.  I turn away from all expressions of reckless behaviour and ask You to help me change. Today, I turn my will and life over to Your care.  Amen